Fob

A fob is a proximity access card. At Lancaster, they take the form of grey plastic objects vaguely resembling a USB flash drive (although they lack any external connections port). Fob stands for "For Opening Buildings." Its existence is the embodiment (or not) of a grammatical nightmare.

Fobs were introduced to LAN in 03.1 as a replacement for the outside door key after problems in previous years with one individual losing a door key, forcing the replacement of everyone's outside door key. Fobs make annoying beeping sounds when used to open doors, and work from much closer than is convenient for one's neck. Some students, however, very much enjoy using their fobs to open the doors, sometimes resulting in mock fights as to who will open the door. "Fob" is commonly used as a replacement for *poke* in the Lalala Game as well as for more nefarious words; the word can also be used as a euphemism for swear words (e.g. "Fob you!"). They are not needed to open the main door of Thomas hall, since that building houses the main offices and health office and as such is usually open. However, the side door does require a fob.

When a camper suggested calling it a "Bob" because of its possibly offensive second definition, it was taken in by a few RAs who afterwards told their students to call it a "Bob" as well.

The word 'fob' is used in the Hokey Pokey at the LAN Afterdances as a body part.

As of 2005, fobs are also used at JHU.